Center News and Notes

Energy companies speculate on a geothermal future for the American West; scientists map the Coast Redwood’s genome for conservation clues; lettuce emerges as an unlikely hero; and other highlights of environmental news from around the West this week.

Private landowners block access to public lands as class divide grows in the American West; salmon conservationists spar with wineries over the fate of a California river; technologists join forces with conservationists to protect Utah public lands, and other highlights of environmental news from around the West this week.

The power gained by harnessing the Columbia River paved the way for industrial development and widespread farmland irrigation. But what if, instead of public utilities, that power had been sold by private firms seeking profits?

Yellowstone bison escape their containment pens in an apparent criminal act; uranium miners target reduced Bears Ears Monument for industry resurgence; scientists link rodenticide used on California marijuana farms to the deaths of an endangered owl species, and other highlights of environmental news from around the West this week.

The plans were intended to manage resource conflicts on public lands that border national parks and monuments, contain popular hunting and fishing grounds, or shelter cultural artifacts. The Trump administration has moved quickly to set the program aside.

California’s wildfires have destroyed homes and communities, and even people hundreds of miles away are feeling the effects of smoke. Stanford faculty weigh in on the health effects and increasing frequency of fires.